Shaft-bearer



(No Model.) B. M.I H 8; Q, T. BECK.

SHAFT BEARER.

No. 394,438. Patented Dec. 11, 1888.

WITNESSES I N. mans. mxmm hu. Wnhingtam a c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS M. BECK, ILL H. BECK, AND CHARLES T. BECK, OF WABASH,

INDIANA.

SHAFT-BEARER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 394,438, dated December 11, 1888.

Application filed October 1, 1888 Serial No. 286,819. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANCIS M. BECK, WILL H. BECK, and CHARLEs '1. BEoK, of \Vabash, in the county of Yabash and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shaft-Bearers; and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

Our invention relates to an improvement in shaft bearers or holders.

The object of the invention is to produce a device of this class construct-ed of a single piece of metal, cast or otherwise, made in the desired form, and provided with a spring-actuated strap 011 its inner side, whereby any sized shaft can be securely held in place; and a further object is to produce a shaft-bearer that will be extremely cheap in first cost, very simple in construction, and not likely to get out of order, and one whose parts when they become worn can be substituted by new ones.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combination of parts, as hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of our complete device. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the metallic portion with the leather covering removed. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the spring-actua ed strap, dotted lines indicating where the spring is riveted to the outer surface of the loop. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the outer covering, and Fig. 6 is a rear view of the spring-actuated strap.

Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the di (ferent views.

A A represent the metallic portion of our device, which is cast or otherwise formed of a single piece of metal, and which is provided with keepers B O, integral therewith.

D represents the inner loop, which is provided with the spring portion E. This inner loop is formed of a flexible strap secured at one end to the metallic body by rivet F, below opening G, through the body. The strap from thence extends around the interior of the metallic body, which is grooved to receive the same to the opening 1 through which it extends to the exterior of the body and then down through the keeper C, and to its free end the belly-band is attached.

Upon the inner surface of the strap D a plate-spring, E, is secured, which normally tends to hold the strap in the position shown in Fig. 2that is, pressed close against the interior surface of the metallic body. This spring-actuated strap is a very important improvement for use in this class of devices, for no matter if a small or a large sized shaft is used it will be kept tightly in place after the strap has been attached to the belly-band, for as soon as it is connected to said band the pull on the strap will naturally draw the spring downward until the strap firmly bears upon the shaft. Of course it is evident that as soon as the horse is unhitched from the vehicle and the strap to be attached to the belly-band is disconnected the spring actuated strap will fly back to its original position, and the shaft can then be withdrawn.

Both the inner and outer edges of the metallic portion are provided with flanges which form recesses for the covering, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to hold the straps which are riveted thereto in place. and thereby prevent moving or slipping of the same.

(1 indicates the journal-bearing for the reception of the buckle IT. This buckle is held in place by the outside strap, which has its starting-point directly under the keeper B, and is then brought around through. the buckle II, and its other end fastened by rivets or otherwise under keeper 0. The metallic portion between the keepers B and C is covered by the inner strap,which, as before stated, is brought through opening G directly below keeper B and then through keeper C to the belly-band; hence it will be seen that almost the whole metallic portion is covered by the leather straps, which not only saves wear of the parts, but also gives the whole device a very neat appearance.

A slit is cut in the upperportion of the outer strap which passes through the buckle A, so that the tongue of said buckle can have a free movement both backward and forward, so that there will be no trouble experienced in fastening the strap leading from the saddle.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by. Letters Patent, is

1. In a shaft-bearer, the combination of the outer metallic portion cast in a single piece, with a spring-actuated strap located within said metallic portion, substantially as described.

2. The herein-described shaft-bearer, consisting of the metallic outer portion, the sides of said metallic portion being recessed, so as to prevent the covering or straps from slipping, in combination with a spring-actuated strap, substantially as described.

3. The herein-described shaft-bearer, consisting of an outer metallic portion cast in a single piece of metal, said outer portion being covered with leather, which is securely riveted thereto, of the spring-actuated strap and keeper for the same, substantially as described.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a shaft-bearer provided with a spring-actuated strap on its inner surface, said strap serving to hold the shaft tightly in position when connected with-the belly-band, substantially as described.

5. A shaft-bearer comprising a metallic body portion provided with a transverse opening, a buckle and strap by means of which the device is secured to the'harness, and a strap extending around the interior of the body and secured in the same at one .end, while its opposite portion extends through the transverse opening and is adapted to be secured to the belly-band, substantially as described.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing as our own We aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

FRANCIS M. BECK. WVILL H. BECK. CHARLES T. BECK.

\Vitnesses:

JEssE'T. HUToHENs, CHARLES FLINN. 

